Order reintroduced hours after earlier curfew ended; follows deadly crackdown leaving 19 dead
KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 9
The Kathmandu District Administration Office has imposed an indefinite curfew inside the Ring Road area of Kathmandu, reintroducing restrictions just hours after an earlier order was lifted.
The previous curfew, which expired at 5:00 a.m. Tuesday, was replaced by a fresh order from the Kathmandu DAO, taking effect at 8:30 a.m. and lasting until further notice.
According to the notice signed by Chief District Officer Chhabilal Rijal, the curfew, issued in accordance with Section 6(a) of the Local Administration Act, 2028, prohibits any kind of gathering, procession, demonstration, assembly, meeting, or picket within the following four boundaries:
Within the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Ring Road area: The entire area within the Ring Road from Balkumari Bridge, Koteshwar Chowk, Sinamangal, Gaushala, Chabahil, Narayan Gopal Chowk, Gongabu, Balaju, Swayambhu, Kalanki, Balkhu, to the Bagmati River Bridge.
However, movement of essential service vehicles, ambulances, fire trucks, hearses, health workers' vehicles, media personnel, tourist vehicles, human rights and diplomatic mission vehicles, and air travelers with a flight ticket are exempted from the restrictions and will be facilitated by security personnel, the note said.
The move comes after security forces opened fire on demonstrators in Kathmandu and Itahari on Monday, leaving at least 19 dead and hundreds injured, making it the deadliest crackdown on civilian protests in recent years. Hospitals including the Trauma Center, Civil Hospital, KMC, and Teaching Hospital are treating large numbers of the wounded, including protesters, journalists, and police personnel.
Amid mounting political and public pressure, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned on Monday evening, submitting his resignation during a cabinet meeting at Baluwatar. The resignation came after widespread criticism that he bore moral responsibility for the loss of life.
